A Rylstone Police spokesperson said the road was closed at Growee Gulph from about 8.30am until just after 1pm because of the dangers the diesel spill posed for motorists.

“The conditions caused a minor accident where the diesel and rain formed to make a very slippery surface,” the spokesperson said.

“On the windy road in the Growee Gulph area a motorist skidded off the road and ran into a guard rail.”

Police stopped the semi-trailer in the Growee Gulph area.

“The semi trailer had ruptured a fuel line and had lost about 400 litres of diesel between Sofala and Growee Gulph, a distance of about 100 kilometres,” a police spokesperson said.

“However, the driver was unaware that the fuel line had ruptured and that it was causing an oil slick on the road.”

Fire brigades spent several hours using foam to neutralise the spill. During the operation it is believed that a fire brigade vehicle lost traction in the slippery conditions.